What is this mysterious membrane used in footwear and clothing (labelled tex)? The membrane is a thin layer of fabric that is placed between the upper and the lining of the shoe to keep moisture out. The membrane has 1.4 billion microscopic pores per square metre. These pores are about 20 000 times smaller than water droplets and therefore water cannot pass through them into the shoe. Water vapour molecules (perspiration), on the other hand, are smaller and therefore escape through the pores. However, water vapour molecules can only escape when the temperature inside the shoe is 15 degrees higher than outside. This is also the reason why summer footwear usually has no membrane.
So membrane footwear = waterproof footwear.
However, it is worth remembering that membrane footwear is not as waterproof as rubber boots. Membrane footwear can be used on wet grass or sand, in light rain and snow. However, if it is torrential rain and snow, we recommend the use of rubber boots. Membrane footwear should not be dried on a radiator or in a drying cabinet as this may damage the membrane. To dry your footwear, we recommend removing the insoles, inserting newspapers and keeping your shoes upside down until they are dry. Read here which waterproof barefoot shoes to choose for spring and autumn. Retrieved from https://exploreborders.com/